On February 26, 2025, Jude Okoye, the elder brother and former manager of Nigeria’s iconic music duo P-Square, stood before Justice Alexander Owoeye at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, facing seven counts of money laundering totalling ₦1.38 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59.

Flanked by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Jude pleaded “not guilty,” setting the stage for a blockbuster trial scheduled for April 14, 2025. What began as a familial feud between Jude and his twin brothers, Peter (Mr. P) and Paul (Rudeboy) Okoye, has morphed into a high-stakes legal battle threatening to unravel the legacy of one of Africa’s most celebrated musical acts. This is the definitive story of the EFCC vs. Jude Okoye case—its origins, allegations, courtroom drama, and far-reaching implications.

The Roots: P-Square’s Rise and Ruin

P-Square—comprising Peter and Paul Okoye—dominated Afrobeat from 2003 to 2017, churning out hits like Bizzy Body, Personally, and Bank Alert. Managed by Jude, their elder brother, the duo amassed a fortune estimated at over $150 million through music sales, international tours, and lucrative endorsements, including a landmark deal with Globacom. Jude, often dubbed the mastermind behind their success, oversaw Northside Entertainment, the group’s management company. Yet, beneath the glitz lay simmering tensions over royalties, creative control, and financial transparency.

The first public fracture came in 2017 when P-Square disbanded amid a bitter dispute. A brief reunion in 2021 offered hope, but by 2022, the twins split again, with Peter and Paul pursuing solo careers as Mr. P and Rudeboy. Jude, once the glue holding them together, became a lightning rod for accusations, particularly from Peter, who claimed his brother had mismanaged their earnings for years. These grievances, aired repeatedly on social media, set the stage for a dramatic escalation.

August 2023: Peter’s Petition Ignites the Fire

In August 2023, Peter Okoye filed a petition with the EFCC, alleging that Jude and his wife, Ifeoma Okoye, had diverted millions of dollars and hundreds of millions of naira in P-Square royalties into a secret company, Northside Music Ltd. Unlike Northside Entertainment—the joint entity agreed upon by the brothers—Northside Music was registered solely under Jude and Ifeoma, with its address listed as Ifeoma’s family home. Peter claimed this was a deliberate scheme to siphon funds, bypassing the group’s financial structure. “I wrote a petition against Jude and his wife, not Paul,” Peter clarified in a statement reported by The Whistler on August 12, 2024, promising to release the EFCC’s final report once his legal team received it.

Jude swiftly denied the allegations, labelling them baseless and defamatory. Paul, meanwhile, oscillated between defending Jude and accusing Peter of exaggeration, hinting at a deeper web of mistrust. The EFCC, known for its meticulous investigations, launched a probe that would take nearly two years to bear fruit, analyzing bank records, property deeds, and transaction trails tied to Northside Music Ltd.

2024: A Family Feud Goes Public

Throughout 2024, the Okoye brothers’ rift played out in Nigeria’s public square—X posts, Instagram rants, and interviews became battlegrounds. On August 12, Peter doubled down, accusing Jude of a “massive betrayal” spanning years and vowing to expose him with evidence. Paul countered with cryptic messages, suggesting Peter’s petition was misguided, while admitting both twins had their own financial missteps. The drama intensified as fans and celebrities weighed in—artist Cynthia Morgan, who had previously accused Jude of withholding her royalties, sarcastically remarked that the matter should have stayed “in-house.”

Behind the scenes, the EFCC built its case. Peter’s petition had unearthed suspicious transactions, including a ₦850 million property purchase and a $1 million currency conversion, which the agency flagged as potential money laundering. By late 2024, the groundwork was laid for a formal reckoning.

February 26, 2025: Jude Faces the Law

The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the EFCC arraigned Jude Okoye and Northside Music Ltd. on February 26, 2025, before Justice Owoeye. The seven-count charge sheet, detailed by outlets like Vanguard News and the EFCC’s official website, painted a damning picture:

• Count 1: In 2022, Jude and his company allegedly acquired a property at No. 5 Tony Eromosele Street, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, worth ₦850 million, using funds “known or reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful acts.” This violated Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
• Count 2: That same year, they converted $1,019,762.87 from an Access Bank account operated by Northside Music Ltd. into naira via a bureau de change, dispersing the funds across multiple accounts to conceal their origin—an offense under Section 18(2)(a) of the Act.
• Additional Counts: The remaining charges, though less detailed in public reports, involve laundering an additional £34,537.59 and contributing to the cumulative ₦1.38 billion figure, adjusted for 2022 exchange rates.

Jude’s plea of “not guilty” triggered a courtroom showdown. EFCC counsel Larry Peters Aso requested a trial date and Jude’s remand in a correctional facility, citing the case’s severity. Defense lawyer Inibehe Effiong countered with a pending bail application, asking for a brief adjournment and temporary EFCC custody. Aso objected, noting facility overcrowding, and Justice Owoeye ruled that Jude be remanded at Ikoyi Correctional Facility. The bail hearing was set for February 28, with the trial slated for April 14, 2025. A viral video of Jude arriving at court, stoic yet flanked by EFCC officials, flooded social media, amplifying the saga’s reach.

February 27, 2025: Family and Public Weigh In

The arraignment reverberated through the Okoye family and beyond. Paul posted on X, “This is exactly what someone wanted,” implicitly jabbing Peter, while urging Jude to “stay strong.” He later muddied the waters, claiming both he and Peter were guilty of similar financial lapses—a statement that raised eyebrows but offered no specifics. Cynthia Morgan quipped online, “Na family matter dem carry go court,” reflecting a sentiment that the dispute should have been settled privately. Media outlets like Legit.ng and Punch dissected the charges, while fans debated whether Jude was a villain or a victim.

February 28, 2025: Bail Hearing Unfolds

According to PUNCH, Jude’s bail application was heard on February 28 but was moved by Justice Alexander Owoeye, who set the decision date for March 3, 2025, after hearing arguments from Okoye’s lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, and counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr Fanny Anum.

The Charges: Breaking Down the Numbers

The EFCC alleges Jude laundered ₦1.38 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59 in 2022, with two transactions spotlighted:

• ₦850 Million Property: A luxury asset in Ikoyi, one of Lagos’ priciest enclaves, allegedly bought with illicit funds.
• $1,019,762.87 Conversion: Funneled through a bureau de change and split across accounts, a classic laundering tactic per the EFCC.

The “unlawful acts” generating these funds remain unspecified publicly, but Peter’s claims point to diverted P-Square royalties. Under the Money Laundering Act, conviction on each count carries up to 14 years in prison, fines, and asset forfeiture—a steep price for Jude if found guilty.

The Players

• Jude Okoye: Defendant, ex-P-Square manager, and family linchpin turned accused mastermind.
• Peter Okoye (Mr. P): Petitioner whose allegations sparked the case, resolute in exposing Jude.
• Paul Okoye (Rudeboy): Torn between loyalty to Jude and admissions of shared guilt, distancing himself from Peter’s crusade.
• Ifeoma Okoye: Jude’s wife, implicated as a Northside Music co-director, though not charged.
• EFCC: Nigeria’s anti-crime juggernaut, led in court by Larry Peters Aso.
• Justice Alexander Owoeye: Presiding judge, balancing the case’s legal and public weight.
• Inibehe Effiong: Jude’s defender, tasked with dismantling the EFCC’s narrative.

What’s at Stake

For Jude, the stakes are existential—prison, financial ruin, and a shattered reputation loom if convicted. Even acquittal may not erase the stain on his career as a music executive. For Peter and Paul, the case cements P-Square’s demise, with their $150 million legacy overshadowed by distrust. Nigeria’s entertainment industry watches closely, as the outcome could tighten financial oversight for artists and managers, echoing EFCC cases against figures like Hushpuppi.

The Road to April 14, 2025

The trial will hinge on evidence—bank statements, property records, and possibly Peter’s testimony—versus Jude’s defence that the funds were legitimate or the charges a vendetta. Paul’s role remains a wildcard; his claim of shared guilt could draw him into the fray as a witness or co-accused. Appeals could stretch the saga into 2026, but for now, April 14 is the day of reckoning.

Cultural Echoes

In Nigeria, family disputes rarely reach this legal pitch, making the Okoye case a cultural outlier. Public sentiment splits between sympathy for Jude as a scapegoat and criticism of Peter for airing private grievances. The saga underscores fame’s fragility—P-Square’s anthems once united fans; now, their discord divides them.

Conclusion

As of March 1, 2025, Jude Okoye awaits trial from Ikoyi Correctional Facility, Peter stands by his accusations, and Paul navigates a murky middle ground. The EFCC vs. Jude Okoye is more than a legal battle—it’s a cautionary tale of wealth, loyalty, and the cost of betrayal. With ₦1.38 billion in question, the truth will unfold in court, leaving Nigeria and the world to ponder: Was Jude a fraud, or a family man framed? Only time—and Justice Owoeye—will tell.

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